You really are what you eat!

The newest trend in psychiatry now is the association between what you eat and how you feel. Research has shown that your gut produces alot of neurotransmitters for your brain to use. This is called the gut-brain axis. Diets rich in processed foods, fried foods and high fat dairy products have been linked to depression. Also consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks has been associated with depression. Having a "Mediterranean" diet which includes fruits, vegetables, nuts, fish, and olive oil improved depressive symptoms in research studies. People ask what they can do to improve their depression, expecting me to say "not to stress" or "take a break", but the real answer is good diet and aerobic exercise. We will talk about exercise another day!